If you want to find out if a friend or relative who was arrested is in custody, or if you are concerned about someone who recently committed a crime is still being held, there are several sources you can use to find out the current detention status of the person in the local court system. Follow these steps to find out if the person you're looking for is in custody.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Online Search
Step 1. Note that you must have certain information about the person you are looking for
The more information you have, the easier it will be to find out if the person is in custody. At the very least, you should have the person's full name. Other identifying traits, such as date of birth, age, gender, ethnicity, and hair color, can also help with the search, especially if the person has a common name.
If you don't know the person's full name, you may be able to track him down if you at least know his nickname and the date of his arrest. You may not be able to use online resources with just that information, and it will likely be more difficult to get the information you want. Moreover, some regions may not be willing to provide information about a person's detention based solely on a nickname
Step 2. Find out which house the person is likely to be in
The arrested person may be detained in the detention center in his hometown or the area where he was arrested. If you know where the person was arrested, start by accessing information about the area. If you do not know the location of the arrest but know the person's home, then contact the area of origin.
Step 3. Use an online search to find local government websites
Some local prison websites have databases that can be used to search for people held there. Check websites for sector police, resort police or district courts. Generally, you only need a name to look up in the database.
Not every county has online resources that can be used to find detainees, but nowadays, many do, and you can find links to them on local law enforcement websites
Step 4. Check the neighboring area's website, just in case you're looking in the wrong area and the person might be detained elsewhere, then he or she is most likely in a nearby area
Try using an online resource that lists all prison locators in your province.
Note, however, that some of these sources may only list areas that have online detention centers and do not list nearby areas that can only be contacted by telephone
Step 5. Use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website
This government-run website has a search engine that can help find the person you're looking for. To use this website, you must at least know the person's first and last name. Both names must be written correctly.
- If you are trying to find someone in a federal prison, rather than a county prison, the best way is to use the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. A detention center is a place where people are detained while they await trial, or if they have been sentenced to a short term (such as a few days or weeks). Correctional Institutions are places where people are imprisoned after they have been sentenced and sentenced for a longer period of time.
- Be aware that the government website only has records for detainees held from 1982 to the present.
Step 6. Use the local prisoner's website
If you can't find the person you're looking for on your local government website or on the Federal Bureau's website, you can try using the national detention locator website. In the online search engine of your choice, use the search box and type in 'search for prisoners' or some variation of this phrase.
Several websites will appear. Avoid sites that look like scam sites (if they are full of ads or ask you to sign up for something, don't use that search engine)
Method 2 of 2: Offline Search
Step 1. Call the district detention center or the clerk's office
If you can't find a custody tracker for an arrested suspect, or if you don't have sufficient information needed to use an online custody tracker, call the law enforcement office at the regular phone number and ask the person directly. The telephone number is listed on the local Detention Center website. If you are not sure where to arrest the person you are looking for, you may have to call several different offices.
There may be a special phone number or extension to request information about detainees, but even if you don't know the number and can't find it, calling the local law enforcement phone number can also help. The receptionist or operator can put you in touch with the right person. You can tell him the information you have about the person you are looking for and he will find it if the person is actually being held there
Step 2. Ask to speak to the arresting officer
If you still can't find the person you're looking for, but you believe the person was arrested by area officials, then politely ask to speak to the arresting officer. He may be able to tell the person you are looking for where to take him.
Step 3. Continue until you have tried all the possibilities listed above
After you've contacted all the areas where the person might be detained, and after you've spoken to everyone who might be able to give you a clue, you may have to wait a few days. Then, try again. It's possible that the information about the person was misfiled.
